Beware of Common Water Heater Related Problems

Problems with hot water heaters are common in most households. Many of the older homes all over the GTA often complain about hot water heaters that fail to deliver the desired performance. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common factors that cause functional problems with hot water heaters.

Many old houses in this region were built when installation of hot water heaters were not a common practice for private homes. As a result, these houses had no space allocated for hot water heaters. Later on, when these houses decided to install water heaters, many of them had to settle for units that are smaller than the required size.

Pipeline related problems are also a common cause for concern. Galvanized steel pipes tend to corrode, and a build up of mineral salts or rust may form inside them. This slows down the flow of water considerably, and hot water comes out from the faucets in trickles. All the hot water may not even reach your bathtub or shower due to pipe leakage.

Many homeowners in Toronto complain about low pressure of water to their water heaters. This problem is mostly found in households living in the higher floors of a building. The reason for this can be low water flow from the main supply line. Local problems like corroded pipeline, partial closure of the main shutoff valve, or a damaged pressure relief valve can also cause low water pressure. The probable solutions for this problem are prevention of pipe leaking and clogging, replacement of damaged PRV, and ensuring that the shutoff valve is completely open.

You need to check your thermostat if you are experiencing inadequate heating by your hot water heater. It can be done very easily with a thermometer and some tap water. Check the thermometer after running tap water onto it. Your thermostat needs to be replaced if there is a difference of more than five degrees between your reading and the temperature at which the thermostat is set.

Sediment build up is yet another common concern with hot water heaters. In such instances, drain out the tank completely and use clean water to flush out the sediment. You may also experience foul odor from water coming out of your water heater if there is bacteria built up inside the heater. It is possible to solve this problem by adding small amounts of chlorine to the water heater from time to time.

It is certainly a great idea to try and fix these issues on your own. However, most of these problems affecting the performance of hot water heaters are rather complex in nature and require professional intervention. Therefore, it is a much better alternative to call an efficient plumber if you ever face any of these problems.